FOUR ESSENTIAL DB TOP OF ROUTE DRILLS BREAKDOWN
This coaching video demonstrates four critical drills designed to improve defensive back performance at the top of routes, focusing on transition techniques and ball awareness.
This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
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The popup drill creates a brief blind spot for the defensive back, forcing them to quickly get their head around to locate the quarterback and football. This simulates game situations where DBs must transition from coverage to ball awareness rapidly. The drill emphasizes the pier step, kick step technique (two, one to none) that translates directly to game scenarios.
DRILL 2: THREE CONE DRILL
Set up with three cones – two at the numbers and one at the top – this drill works top of route transition while minimizing wear on players’ legs. The DB opens up, locates the back cone, then transitions with eyes moving to the receiver’s low hip. The drill practices multiple turn types including zone turns, speed turns, and man turns, all simulating different route scenarios like comeback routes.
DRILL 3: NOW DRILL
This progressive drill combines line of scrimmage technique with route transition. Players work their initial footwork (pier step, kick step, two one to none) then wait for the coach’s “now” call to flip their hips and transition back inside for the ball. This drill layers initial technique with top of route transition skills and can be modified with various movements and angles.
DRILL 4: HOOK, LEAN, AND LOOK TECHNIQUE
When in lead position (middle mouth, chest to upfield shoulder), DBs execute the hook, lean, and look technique. This involves getting body-on-body contact with the receiver, working them off the “red line” (six yards from sideline), then locating the football to become the receiver. The goal is to eliminate the receiver’s real estate and turn potential catches into defensive opportunities.
Brent Jackson, Defensive Quality Control, Indianapolis Colts
Watch the entire presentation, DB Press Man Technique, on Glazier Drive:
KEY COACHING POINTS
The video emphasizes clean, efficient movement with DBs sinking their hips during transitions. Players should take two steps toward the receiver before getting eyes back to the quarterback in man coverage. All movements should be flat rather than rounded, and the techniques translate across both press and off coverage situations.